My history with the Cayenne goes back many years, as I was at the launch of the original vehicle back in 2003. It was a big departure from the norm, as the Porsche cars we were used to at the time were all sports cars.

My test vehicle was the Cayenne S, which is the middle model of the regular conventional Cayenne line. The S I had was powered by the 2.9L Bi-Turbo V6 that produces a neck snapping 434Hp. and 406 lb/ft of torque which gives this vehicle a 0 to 100 kph time of just 4.2 seconds, just about half the time of the original model I tested. To say the least I was very impressed with this kind of power in a vehicle of this size and mass. Transmission on the S is an impressive 8-speed automatic or as Porsche refers to it as the Tiptronic S which shifts flawlessly. Towing capacity is not bad at 7,700lbs, which easily handles a wakeboard boat or a J70, for example.

On the outside the Cayenne has made subtle improvements to the styling of the Cayenne over the years, not varying from its original shape, but improving in aerodynamics and styling. Comparing the old and new versions, I do much prefer the newer lines of today’s Cayenne.

Inside the vehicle is up to date and modern dash with all the amities you might expect from a high end SUV like this. The sport seats are comfortable and will adjust for all sized people making the vehicle very easy to get used to. Due to the high tech nature of this vehicle getting accustomed with the operation of all the features with take a little time. But, once you mastered the controls, like Apple Car Play, and Porsche Connect will all come fairly quickly.

On the practical side of things, there is plenty of room in the back seat area with comfortable sport type seats that adjust for added comfort. Seating in the rear is setup for three, but much better for two. The rear seats will fold in three sections allowing for a much better combination of storage when carrying the family or boating gear. Adding to the comfort of everyone, the Cayenne has 4-zone climate control and heated seats not just in the front, but the rear as well.

Since we are on the topic of comfort the Cayenne S rides on an air suspension system that allows a smooth or firm ride depending on the driver’s wishes. The vehicle will lower at higher speeds and increase in height in instances where off-road conditions need arise. Being an all-wheel-drive vehicle, I can attest to the Cayenne’s off-road ability, something most people would not expect on a luxury vehicle like this. Great for showing up in style at an out of town marina this spring.

Any vehicle that has such a wide array of abilities on and off road has to have brakes up to the job. The Cayenne S has large 6-piston callipers in the front and 4-piston units in the rear making this all disc brake vehicle stop second to none. To be honest there isn’t much better stopping power short of a racing car. Putting this stopping power to the pavement are the optional 21inch wheels front and rear on our test S model.

Something very special and worth noting are the Cayenne’s LED-Matrix Headlights. 84 individual LED controlled light units are controlled to give the driver supreme light while driving down the road while sensing oncoming traffic and when you are turning or on the open road.

As you may have suspected, I do have an affinity for German cars like the Porsche. They offer high quality, performance, comfort and great braking, a real driver’s car. Base price of our test vehicle was $92,600 with an as tested price of $121,300. Is it worth it you ask? Considering the engineering that has gone into this car I have to say yes it is worth the investment.

Glen Konorowski is a life long automotive enthusiast and automotive journalist for 35-years. He also claims to be former Commodore of the Monty Carlo Yacht Club!

A favourite destination for many boaters and tourists alike is the lovely Mackinaw Island. Sitting in Lake Huron on the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac in the state of Michigan, it covers almost ten kilometres, of which 80% is park land. It was a sacred place of the Anishinaabe and home of the Gitche Manitou (Great Spirit) some 700 years prior to the arrival of the first Europeans.

According to legend, the Island was created by the Great Hare, Michabou, and was the first land to appear after the recession of the Great Flood.

I think my favourite program was Bonanza. I would rush home after school, get my homework done, clean up the dishes, and then I would watch the ol’ West come alive with those three handsome, funny brothers who thrived on adventure.

At the time, I thought that the adventuresome West - and the pioneers who could handle just about anything thrown their way - was the stuff of make-believe.

We will probably look back on 2018 and 2019 as the years when power boats were reinvented by the combined forces of a booming U.S. economy and the wide-spread development and introduction of so many amazing new outboard engines. The result has been the development of many remarkable new designs!

One of the most inventive designers and builders is Jeanneau, and the NC 1095 is their new flagship outboard cruiser by Centkowski & Denert Design.

Lagoon has been building catamarans for too long to make a false move. That’s why when the management felt that their tried-and-true 450 model, long a cruising favourite and winner of transatlantic events such as the ARC, was getting near retirement age, they went back to a team that has designed many successful models for them: Nauta Design for interiors and VPLP design with Patrick le Quément for naval architecture and exteriors.

We spoke with Nauta Design’s Massimo Gino about his work with Lagoon.

“Along with the many custom superyacht projects we do, we have been collaborating with Lagoon since 2009.

Grounding is always an interesting idea when on a boat. Can a boat be ‘grounded’ when it’s in the water?

Electrical ground is a term used to describe the reference point in an electrical circuit from which voltage is measured, a common return path for electric current, or a direct physical connection to the earth.

Connection to ground is also important in order to trigger protective mechanisms in the event of failure of internal insulation, and also limits the build-up of static electricity.

Watch for a tsunami of innovative new boating products in the chandlery this year, as accessory manufacturers battle for your attention and dollars.

This past decade has been a real up-and-down ride for the companies who make boating equipment. When the recession hit in 2008/2009, new product development for most manufacturers ground to a sharp halt as they focused on more pressing issues, like simply keeping the lights on. It took a few years for the economy to stabilize and for the first handful of new items to begin slowly trickling out to market. For guys like me who make a living writing about new boating gear, those were pretty lean years, let me tell you.

You most likely operate your vessel with batteries that are rechargeable. Rechargeable batteries account for nearly half of worldwide battery sales. Within the rechargeable battery category, there are many different types of chemistries that are used. The most proven type of chemistry is the lead acid chemistry.

Wet cell or “flooded” batteries and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are both considered lead batteries and contain an electrolyte solution which causes a chemical reaction and produces electrons. These batteries are recharged when put in contact with a reverse current. But, given the way they are designed, they each have their own pros and cons and these variations should be considered before use.

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